From The Plain Dealer:
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Doris O'Donnell, who covered everything from the Sam Sheppard murder case to the Hough riots during her long career as a Cleveland journalist, died Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015 at age 94.
Her death was reported by the Tribune-Review in Pennsylvania, where O'Donnell once worked.
She grew up in Cleveland's Old Brooklyn neighborhood and joined the Cleveland News in 1944. O'Donnell began working for The Plain Dealer in 1960.
Columnist Brent Larkin wrote in 2009 that "O'Donnell was Cleveland's first female superstar reporter.
"She made her mark covering cops, courts, organized crime and a bit of local politics. Along the way, she won more local and state journalism awards -- by far -- than any woman before or since. No journalist in town had more sources. And none could be as tough, resourceful, even ruthless," Larkin wrote.
"Sure, I was ruthless," she told him. "But I was a nice ruthless."
She wrote about her career in an autobiography, "Front-Page Girl."
According to Richard Ellers, Doris was a protege of John Rees who was her City Editor at the News,and came to the PD, same as he did, when the News was folded.
Her death was reported by the Tribune-Review in Pennsylvania, where O'Donnell once worked.
She grew up in Cleveland's Old Brooklyn neighborhood and joined the Cleveland News in 1944. O'Donnell began working for The Plain Dealer in 1960.
Columnist Brent Larkin wrote in 2009 that "O'Donnell was Cleveland's first female superstar reporter.
"She made her mark covering cops, courts, organized crime and a bit of local politics. Along the way, she won more local and state journalism awards -- by far -- than any woman before or since. No journalist in town had more sources. And none could be as tough, resourceful, even ruthless," Larkin wrote.
"Sure, I was ruthless," she told him. "But I was a nice ruthless."
She wrote about her career in an autobiography, "Front-Page Girl."
According to Richard Ellers, Doris was a protege of John Rees who was her City Editor at the News,and came to the PD, same as he did, when the News was folded.
He sent her out to be a taxi driver during WW2.
The photo is from a PD alumni luncheon in 2011.
Here's the death notice:
Here's the death notice:
BEAUFAIT DORIS E BEAUFAIT (nee O'Donnell), age 94, died Sunday, September 27. Doris grew up in Cleveland. From the time she was a young girl, she knew that she wanted to be a journalist. In 1944 she joined the Cleveland News where she met fellow journalist and future husband, Howard Beaufait. In 1960 she joined the Cleveland Plain Dealer. Doris made her mark covering the courts, organized crime, police and local politics. Brent Larkin of the Plain Dealer called her 'the first female superstar reporter.' In 1984, she was inducted into the Press Club of Cleveland Hall of Fame. Doris is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Howard. Friends may call at the FERFOLIA FUNERAL HOME, 356 W. AURORA RD. (ST. RT. 82) SAGAMORE HILLS FOR VISITATION FRIDAY 2-4 AND 6-9 P.M. Family and friends are asked to gather at St. Mary Catholic Church, 340 N. Main Street, Hudson, Ohio Saturday for a Mass of Christian Burial to celebrate Doris' life at 1 p.m. www.cleveland.com/obits
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